Play therapy is a technique typically used for children aged 3 to 12. It is common for individuals to communicate in ways that are familiar to them. The world of a child is comprised predominately of play. That being said, children communicate through their play. This affords the child a safe psychological distance from their problem. It also allows for expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
Children develop through play. Children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills and learn a variety of ways of relating to others through play. Play therapy treatment is effective for a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral and learning problems. It is also effective for problems related to life stressors such as divorce, death, abuse, and violence, natural disasters.
Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others
- Learn to experience and express emotion
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities